10 Questions for Lisa Stansfield
For almost 30 years she’s had a string of worldwide hits, winning many Brit awards and Grammy nominations. Lisa, who has duetted with singers from George Michael to Barry White, has also acted in movies and TV dramas.
She releases Deeper, her eighth studio album, this week and plays Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall on Wednesday night.
HOW HAS YOUR VOICE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?
I used to be a smoker, and nothing came between me and my cigs. Then my voice got raspy and I said: “That’s it, we’re done.” Now I wouldn’t smoke if you offered me a billion pounds.
DO YOU LIKE TO BE IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING?
In the ’90s I realised I couldn’t do it all myself so I learned to trust others. I always talk about “us”, never “me”. It’s a team effort.
WHAT SONGS WILL YOU DO ON THE TOUR?
The new songs, but definitely the old hits, too. People expect them, and they don’t want to pay good money to see me being self-indulgent.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING WHAT
WOULD IT BE?
I was in New York with my late mum. Cliff Richard walked past. We just nodded and walked on without mum noticing. He was her pin-up and I should have stopped and introduced them. I never told her, and she never got to meet him. Horrible daughter.
IAN, YOUR HUSBAND, PLAYS IN YOUR BAND. HANDY?
It will be in Edinburgh. That’s my birthday (laughs.) We co-write but never take marital strife into the studio. We’re both stubborn but we back down if the other’s right.
HAS YOUR CAREER GONE AS YOU WANTED?
People look at my life and think it was planned. But I’ve never had a plan. Everything has been down to happenstance and luck.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE #METOO MOVEMENT?
It’s not about being better than anyone else, it’s about equality. If someone hurts you, why would you hurt them back? Whether it’s race, religion, sex, whatever, treat everyone as equals.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOUR ACTING?
I did the film Northern Soul not long ago, but I’ve been dedicated to the new album. Something will come along soon. Acting’s an adventure and it shakes me up.
EVER THOUGHT OF WRITING FOR OTHER SINGERS?
I did, for Dionne Warwick, but I usually leave songs on the back burner if they don’t suit me. When I’m old, and it all heads south, I’ll dig them out and offer them
around.
YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO YOU SPEND IT?
I would get Concorde out of mothballs to do one more flight, and I’d invite everyone I love on board. My manager’s just said she’s busy that day. She hates flying (laughs).